Questions over Premier League reform remain despite government’s grand plans

Last week the government finally issued a response to the fan-led review of football it commissioned, and everyone in the game is still busy trying to work out what it means.

On the one hand it was unarguably a seismic moment. The government, in its response and in the words of the sports minister, Nigel Huddleston, explicitly committed itself to creating an independent regulator.

It also guaranteed an enhanced owners and directors test, with an “integrity test” included, promised fans control over their clubs and insisted the Premier League would have to give more money to support teams lower down the football pyramid.

Then again there remains no clear definition of what the regulator will do, where it will sit and, even, if “independent” could mean sitting within the purview of the Football Association, whose board is made up of representatives from the professional game.

Related: Public ‘out of patience’ with football’s failure to reform, says sports minister

The integrity test remains undefined. With regards to fan representation, plans for a golden share and shadow boards suggested by the fan-led review are in limbo and could be shelved altogether. As for the Premier League’s money, it has been told to offer up more before, with the end result being absolutely no change whatsoever.

The government has said there will now be no more detail on the process until the publication of a white paper in the summer, where even the definition of the summer remains uncertain. All of which means speculation – and lobbying – will continue to be the order of the day for some months yet.

To understand how unclear things remain, including for the parties involved, consider the Premier League which – on the face of things – is the